Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:42 pm Post subject: ( }:-D Rehearsal Report......
Well, all goes very well here in Georgia.
Upon Robben & Anne's return from their ocean cruise, they found they could not get to their house in Ojai for a couple days, due to the weather. Once there, they had some flooding to deal with, so Robben had to delay his flight to Georgia an extra day.
I came on ahead, as scheduled, and endured the delayed and rerouted hell flight thru a storm in Chicago and then further delays into Savannah, finally arriving at 3 in the morning. Poor Rich (our tour manager), ever cheerful, ever smiling, had to meet me at the airport in those wee early hours and then drop me off at the 'Bed & Breakfast' that I'm sharing with Jim (trumpet) and Willy Weeks(bass). A few short hours later, Rich picked us up and took us over to Gregg's house.
Gregg, his wife, and dogs have been very hospitable and welcoming. The first day of rehearsals in the studio at Gregg's house proceeded without Robben and Floyd (percussion) present. Everyone else worked together on basic arrangements. This gave me a chance to meet and focus on Gregg & Willy, as I am also handling their axes. Besides the expected Hammond B3, Gregg also plays an open-G tuned Gibson J200 and a standard tuned Taylor acoustic on a few tunes.
It's great to see old friends, Neil Larson on piano and Steve Potts slamming the drums. Rounding out the ensamble is a kickass 3 piece horn section.
Willy & I bonded right from the start. Very cool dude! By the end of the first day, Gregg gave me a thumbs up, and welcomed me aboard.
Robben and Floyd arrived late that night and joined us on day two. He showed up with his new Les Paul instead of the Baker and told me, "You know Dave, I thought about it and realized this just feels too much like a Les Paul kind of a gig, so I decided to go with just my LP's this time around".
With the whole band now present, magic began to shine. After friendly hugs between Robben and Neil, Steve, and Willy (Robben told me he last worked with Willy on the George Harrison project and has wanted to work with him again ever since, but just has never had the opportunity til now) everyone set to work. Thru the day Gregg would occassionally look over at me with a grin and say "Wow!" during some of Robben's soloing. By the end of the day Gregg was so impressed and pleased that he asked Robben to consider being the support act for the Allman Brothers tour this summer.
The next couple of days flowed smoothly to where we've finished up today's rehearsal with a good solid 18 tunes to start out the tour. Willy has to leave us very early in the morning because of a recording commitment in New York, but we got the basic core of the show down and the others will rehearse and fine tune what we have gone over so far till Willy can rejoin us before the first show later this week.
Everyone is having a blast and we fully expect to have a lot of fun together on this tour. Those that know Gregg well, say that they have not seen him this excited and happy in quite some time. Robben told me this evening when several of us went out to dinner together that he is really enjoying himself. _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:40 am Post subject: BUNDERBAR (BQ)
Daved , thanks for the insight . I don't need to wish a happy new year while i'm reading your post , i know it is working for you right now .
WOODEN ROOSTER .
Please would you like to update your site, well , i know i know your are overbooked but please.
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:47 am Post subject:
Daved, awesome report, as usual. Keep 'em comin', please...
Would it be possible for a sneak preview of the set list? It would be nice to think about what's coming up while I'm waiting hours in line to catch this show in CT...
Thanks for the great update. I'm so glad my hometown ( Johnson City, NY ) has been included as part of this tour. Probably not the most glamorous place you've been but I'm sure you'll be greeted warmly and I think you'll like the venue ( Magic City Music Hall ).
Gregg has an article on his website about kids turning on to the music their parents listen to. I will have 6 teenage musicians with me at this show and some high school classmates of mine will be there with their kids as well. To see kids listening to "Live at the Fillmore" through their headphones as my friends and I did over 30 yrs ago is pretty cool. And I get to turn on a bunch of people to Robben Ford as well. Should be a great night.
Thanks again for keeping us all posted and I look forward too seeing you on Feb 1.
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Southern California
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:31 am Post subject:
Daved,
Thanks for the great report. I sure wish the tour was coming to my area because I'd love to see it. Reports like this make me want to see it even more.
You know, I love this kind of behind the scenes look so much that I'll often get into it when its musicians I don't care much about. But to have this kind of insight from you about musicians I have tremendous respect for is really a treat.
It obviously takes time for you to do this for it and I, along with everyone else I'm sure, really appreciate it. Thanks for all of the great stories.
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 249 Location: the Netherlands
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:32 am Post subject:
Thanks Daved for the nice insight. A warming up for those who will attend one or more shows. I'm living in Europe being an all time fan of the ABB and RF. So I hope those who are in the opportunity to attend the upcoming shows will place their reviews on this Forum. Any news about a radio broadcast?
Henk
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject:
JohnnyZ wrote:
Would it be possible for a sneak preview of the set list?
A few of the tunes are:
Midnight Rider
Demons
Multi Colored Lady
Poison
Melissa
Whipping Post
Statesborough Blues
Back To Daytona _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
Last edited by Daved on Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:
Bluelobster wrote:
Daved , thanks for the insight . I don't need to wish a happy new year while i'm reading your post , i know it is working for you right now .
WOODEN ROOSTER .
Please would you like to update your site, well , i know i know your are overbooked but please.
WELL , Just Kiddin'
Blob, Thanx for the happy wishes. And also to the rest of you who've posted appreciations. They do encourage me to take the time & effort to keep you all updated when I can.
As for my site, I know, I know, I know... ... I've been slow in keeping things up to date. I've just been sooo busy and blah-dee-blah-dee-blah-blah
BUT...
Be patient. I've been starting work on something I think is pretty cool. But, as with anything "artful", I want to get it attractive, informative, and right. I think you'll like it too, when I'm done. I'll let you know more as I get it together. _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
Last edited by Daved on Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:52 pm Post subject:
Talking with Gregg today during a break, I told him how much of a personal turning point my first hearing of "Whipping Post" and the rest of that first Allman Brothers Band album was in my life. To this day it is still a classic milestone in my opinion, breath takingly powerful from beginning to end.
When I told him how much I've always enjoyed the song "Dreams" and its cool B-3 padded chords, he told me that that song was the very first one he ever wrote on Hammond organ. _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:01 pm Post subject:
Daved: Thanks for the great updates! Sorry to hear about Robben and Anne's flooding. I'd wondered. We got pretty well hammered around here. Took a run up highway 150 yesterday to the washout between Santa Paula and Ojai. (Had to sweet-talk my way past the construction security checkpoint.) The big problem is just south of Thomas Aquinas College. The hill gave way under the highway, leaving it suspended in mid-air. Talk now is that they won't be able to reopen until September. Advisory to folks coming to Robben's clinics: You won't be able to take 126 in from I-5 and then up 150. You'll need to go into Ventura and up 33.
Have fun in Georgia. _________________ - BlueRunner
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject:
BlueRunner wrote:
.....Sorry to hear about Robben and Anne's flooding. I'd wondered.....
Yeah, that last blast that came in off the ocean, directly thru Santa Barbara, over the mountains thru Ojai, and straight into Bakersfield where I live, was a doozy! I was somewhat shielded by the mountain range between the coast and the central valley, so as bad as it was in my place it must have really been a rip-snorter out Robben's way! _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Boulder, CO
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:40 pm Post subject:
Daved thanks for the update and inside scoop. I have a such a special place in my heart for Greg Allman and the Allman Brothers band. They are the reason that I got into music and guitar in the first place!
Robben tourning with the Allmans this summer would be amazing! But Robben has to play a full Robben set and then sit in with Allmans.
Yes, this is definitly a Les Paul kind of gig! Anybody playing slide on any of the tunes? Like Statesborough Blues?
Once again, thanks for the great updates. In looking at the tunes I noticed " Back to Daytona ". If memory serves that is a Floyd Miles tune. Any chance of any of Robben's songs being included in the set list ?
Hi Daved,
thanks for painting such a vivid picture of preliminary tour preperations, ( I'm sure you just scratched the surface ) and who wouldn't say "Wow"
when Robben solos.
Asuming that Robben has decided to gain a variety of fresh perspectives by touring as a "hired Gun" with Tom Scott, Gregg Allman, John Mayall, and Sadao Watanabe ( did I forget anybody ? )How does the process work?
Does he put the word out to just the musicians he wants to work with or, does he do something like winnow through an existing list of requests ?
Enquiring minds want to know!
My wife and I caught a show at B.B. Kings NYC over the New Years weekend and can see why you ( I imagine ) like the venue
I sincerely hope that the weather cooperates with your tour and that you can find the time to write with some more news. Ron
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 943 Location: Terra Firma, Ether Sea
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject:
Auburn Ron wrote:
.....Asuming that Robben has decided to gain a variety of fresh perspectives by touring as a "hired Gun" with Tom Scott, Gregg Allman, John Mayall, and Sadao Watanabe ( did I forget anybody ? )How does the process work? Does he put the word out to just the musicians he wants to work with or, does he do something like winnow through an existing list of requests?
As far as I've seen, Ron, Robben doesn't usually seek out "hired gun" gigs, though he does enjoy them and will casually throw in a "I'd love to play with [this or that] person" or "I'd love to be considered for [this or that]'s tour" when those kind of conversations come up amongst the performer's he works with. He has such a wide variety of artist's that he knows, or that know of him, that I'm sure those casual conversation's go a long ways.
But, as for sitting down, going over a list of potential tours, and actively pursuing people he'd like to have hire him.... that really doesn't happen.
Usually, THEY seek him out.
BTW, I mentioned in a thread, late last year, that Noel Redding & Billy Cox had enquired about Robben possibly doing a Hendrix/Ford Experience performance in Seattle last November. Well, obviously, that didn't happen. But the other day Robben mentioned to me that the reason was because the whole thing kinda fell thru due to scheduling problems. However, Robben told me that Noel again called & spoke with him the other day and is still interested (along with Billy) in doing something together, maybe later this year. I'll keep everyone informed if I hear of anything further developing in that direction. _________________ B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
I've just been sooo busy and blah-dee-blah-dee-blah-blah 
Daved: Thanks for the great updates! Sorry to hear about Robben and Anne's flooding. I'd wondered. We got pretty well hammered around here. Took a run up highway 150 yesterday to the washout between Santa Paula and Ojai. (Had to sweet-talk my way past the construction security checkpoint.) The big problem is just south of Thomas Aquinas College. The hill gave way under the highway, leaving it suspended in mid-air. Talk now is that they won't be able to reopen until September. Advisory to folks coming to Robben's clinics: You won't be able to take 126 in from I-5 and then up 150. You'll need to go into Ventura and up 33.
